My husband turns 80 this week. His sons and their wives, their children, his sisters, and nephews are gathering – each bringing their own constellation of memories and bonds. I bring my own rich family circle – my beloved daughters with their partners, my grandchildren. Though not present, his two great-grandchildren – a spirited two-year-old boy and a newly arrived baby girl – represent the future unfolding. And woven through it all are dear friends who’ve become family through the years. When Different Worlds Dance His sons, now with families of their own, carry decades of family history – memories of growing up, of their mother, of transitions and changes. Their wives bring their own family traditions and perspectives. Together, they’ve created their own branch of the family tree, raising their children with a blend of old and new traditions. My world spins with its own beautiful complexity – writing books, speaking internationally, my clinical work, and my own deep family bonds with my daughters and their families. Being his wife – not a replacement mother, but simply the woman who loves their father – means respecting all these existing bonds while building authentic connections of my own. When his […]
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